5 Stories to Watch Next Week | December 19, 2020

5 Stories to Watch Next Week US Government. Corporations Compromised in Cyberattack Russian hackers have conducted a lengthy and widespread infiltration of US government agencies and corporations through a little-known software company, SolarWinds, according to reports. SolarWinds is used mainly by technical staff of companies and government agencies to keep computer networks and software running. The hackers compromised systems at the Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security and at defense contractors, among other entities that have access to sensitive and classified information. While the precise mechanism through which the hackers gained access to SolarWinds software is unclear, the operation raises a number of questions. Watch next week to see whether lawmakers in the House and Senate set up panels to investigate the hacking and potential compromising of US secrets. Also look to find out if lawmakers propose further security measures to guard software that interacts with classified information. Pence, Biden to Receive COVID Vaccine Publicly Vice President Mike Pence will receive the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer publicly on Friday, along with Second Lady Karen Pence, and Surgeon General Jerome Adams. Joe Biden is slated to receive the vaccine at some point next week, just as former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton have also committed to receive the vaccine. The decision to receive the vaccine is an effort to combat public skepticism regarding the efficacy and safety of the vaccine, given that it was given emergency authorization following a review process. Watch next week to see if other notable politicians receive the vaccine in a public setting. Also look to find out if there are any reports of adverse reactions or reinfections following the administration of the vaccine. Attorney General Bill Bar to Leave Office Attorney General William Barr will officially resign from his post next week following apparent tension with President Trump over allegations of voting irregularities. Barr had previously claimed that there was no evidence of fraud wide enough to overturn the outcome of the election, even though investigations into irregularities are still ongoing at the Justice Department. In his resignation letter, Barr accused opponents of the Trump administration of an organized attempt to oust the president through the Russian collusion story. Watch next week to find out if Barr takes any actions to install career prosecutors to investigate a Biden administration. Also look to see if Barr’s successor takes a more active role in seeking to prosecute alleged voter fraud in the 2020 election. Jared Kushner to Lead American Delegation to Israel, Morocco White House senior adviser Jared Kushner will lead an American delegation to Israel and Morocco next week to hold discussions on the recent deal between both countries to normalize diplomatic relations. The US delegation and a team from Israel will also take the first commercial flight from Tel Aviv to Rabat, a symbolic milestone in the effort to forge peace in the Middle East. This announcement follows similar peace deals brokered by the Trump administration between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan. Watch next week to see if the representatives of the mentioned nations announce further steps to build economic and political cooperation in the Middle East. Also look to find out if such meetings prompt other Arab countries to announce diplomatic normalization with the state of Israel. Brexit Negotiations to Continue with Parliament on Notice British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that negotiations over a Brexit trade agreement with the European Union will continue in the coming days, following an apparent stalemate over access to British fisheries and business regulations. While the British parliament was slated to begin its traditional Christmas break having dealt with all pending legislation, Johnson said that he would recall members of parliament as soon as next week should an agreement be secured. Watch next week to find out if the UK and EU negotiators agree to a deal in principle, prompting the legislative bodies of both parties to return. Also watch how any potential agreement — or lack thereof — could affect geopolitical relations and the global economy. Newt's Latest Podcasts: Order Newt's Latest Book: https://www.gingrich360.com/trump-and-the-american-future